- COURSE ANNOUNCEMENT -
GENETIC ANALYSIS METHODS FOR MEDICAL RESEARCHERS
Description:
A comprehensive four day course directed toward physician
scientists and/or other medical researchers that will introduce
them to state-of-the-art approaches for mapping human inherited
disorders of both a monogenic and polygenic nature, such as
cancer syndromes, multiple sclerosis, etc. The overall
focus of the course is on the development of a broad-based
knowledge of the resources available through the Human Genome
Initiative, and overall project decision making, rather than the
mechanics of specific techniques. The specific goals are:
1. To outline and instruct participants in detail about the
necessary steps and procedures used in ascertaining and
collecting pedigree data and family history information. These
processes include the use of family history questionnaires,
computer management systems, simulation of data to determine
linkage power, designs for clinical sampling schemes, and the
actual sampling and subsequent cataloguing and storing of
pedigree DNA for study.
2. To discuss in detail the methodologies for using the Index
Marker Maps generated by the efforts of the Human
Genome Initiative. This will include a broad understanding of
PCR technology and its use for genotyping dinucleotide or other
simple sequence length polymorphisms. It will also include a
discussion of statistical analytical methods such as lod scores
and the examination of affected relative pairs. Emphasis will be
on working examples as well as the basic theory behind these
genetic mapping methodologies rather than intensive computational
exercises. Information will be available about the computational
resources necessary to undertake such a study and how to obtain
them.
3. To educate participants on the general interpretation of
linkage results. Discussions will include an overview of
positional cloning strategies, refinement of the preliminary
linkage data, examination of heterogeneity, physical mapping,
cDNA analysis, exon amplification etc. This course will not
include any bench or "wet" laboratory experience.
4. To incorporate discussion of the participant's individual
research interests. Participants will be encouraged to bring
preliminary information and/or data for both formal and informal
group discussion and instructor consultation. Course
participants will be polled prior to the course about their
particular needs and interests and their own motivations for
taking the course. Extensive efforts will be made to incorporate
the suggested topics of participants.
Faculty:
Organizers:
Margaret A. Pericak-Vance, Ph.D.
Dept. of Medicine
Division of Neurology
Duke University Medical Center
Jonathan L. Haines, Ph.D.
Molecular Neurogenetics Unit
Massachusetts General Hospital
Instructors:
Jeffrey Murray, M.D.
Division of Medical Genetics
Department of Pediatrics
University of Iowa Hospitals
Marcy C. Speer, Ph.D.
Dept. of Medicine
Division of Neurology
Duke University Medical Center
Arthur S. Aylsworth, M.D.
Chief, Division of Genetics and Metabolism,
Dept. of Pediatrics
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
David Goldgar, Ph.D.
Dept. of Medical Informatics
University of Utah
Deborah Meyers, Ph.D.
Dept. of Medicine
School of Medicine
Johns Hopkins University
The broad-based faculty has extensive expertise in genetic
epidemiology, positional cloning, reference marker mapping,
laboratory techniques, clinical diagnosis and family collection.
Faculty will be available throughout the course for informal
discussions.
Location: The R. David Thomas Center
The Fuqua School of Business
Duke University
Durham, NC
The Thomas center, by offering both in-house accommodations and
meals, promotes maximum interactions, both formal and informal,
between participants. Most faculty will be staying on-site for the
duration of the course.
Date: May 15 through May 18, 1994
Participation:
Individuals with an M.D. or Ph.D. and a specific disease-related
interest are encouraged to apply but participation will be limited
to a total of 35 individuals. Up to five scholarships will be
available for M.D. and/or Ph.D. students and fellows. Women and
minorities are specifically encouraged to apply. The deadline for receipt
of completed application forms is March 1, 1994.
For more information about registration fees, course
requirements, etc:
Write: Genetic Methods Course
c/o Dr. Margaret Pericak-Vance
Division of Neurology, Box 2900
Duke University Medical Center
Durham, NC 27710
OR:
E-Mail: genclass at genemap.mc.duke.edu
In any correspondence, please include a postal address.